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Justice News

Essex County, New Jersey, Man Admits Summer 2016 Bank Robbery Spree

NEWARK, N.J. – A Newark, New Jersey, man today admitted robbing four banks in August and September 2016, Acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick announced.

James Lockwood, 39, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Esther Salas in Newark federal court to an information charging him with four counts of bank robbery. He was originally arrested by state authorities on Sept. 23, 2016 and has been in custody since that time.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court, Lockwood robbed the following banks on the dates set forth below:

Bank

Location

Date

M & T Bank

Lyndhurst, New Jersey

Aug. 16, 2016

Schuyler Bank

Kearney, New Jersey

Aug. 25, 2016

Schuyler Bank

Kearney, New Jersey

Sept. 8, 2016

Capital One Bank

Clifton, New Jersey

Sept. 16, 2016

Lockwood admitted that during each of the above robberies, he threatened to use force while demanding money from the bank employees. He also robbed the same Schuyler Bank on Aug. 25, 2016 and Sept. 8, 2016.

The bank robbery charges each carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 2, 2017.

Acting U.S. Attorney Fitzpatrick credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Timothy Gallagher in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea. He also thanked the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Kearny and Clifton Police Departments for their assistance.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sammi Malek of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Newark.